(a long way up)
(race start)
(Gripmaster & Phil)
(many a climbs like this that go on and on and on)
(The blogging life when not running with the Exo recovery calves)
What an incredible week we have all had here in Bedoin, France. From 12 athletes three years ago to an amazing 32 this year, I've had a blast running with some of the most amazing and talented athletes from all over the world. Seven fabulous days of testing products and participating in R&D with the global Salomon family, it's been an honor and a privilege. I've been with Salomon for almost 8 years and I can't think of a better company to represent.
Ok, so to re-cap today, our last full day here. While the bulk of the crew headed out yesterday, I think there was around 10 athletes who stayed to participate in today's race back up Mt. Ventoux! I'm still in shock that more than 1200, YES 1200 people registered for this race. It was really great to see the energy and enthusiasm for trail running that exists here. I hope we can keep growing the sport in Canada. It's just so much fun. Anyways, we could choose from the 22km distance of the long course of 44km (originally 50km but got shortened due to the snow.) What was really different about this race is that you did NOT have to select your distance until you hit the 14km mark when the short course went one way and the long course continued the ultimate climb.
So after 7 days of running, doubles and triples and time on my feet, I decided last night that the achilles would survive one more day. I decided this would be a fun day of running, nothing serious. To make sure of this, I put myself at the back of the pack to start (about 1000 runners in front of me) with Gripmaster and KJ. Once we got off though, I just picked my way through the pack, trying to find my stride. I soon lost KJ and Gripmaster amongst the masses and realized this would be a day on my own.
Tough, technical trails, tons of ankle breaking rock as we climbed and descended. The entire 44km required focus but because I was just enjoying my time, I never pushed, but rather chatted away in French to everyone around me and gave my achilles the easy running that it needed. My power hiking on 1/2 of the hills got me through the day, my downhill technical running was horrid as I babied my achilles.
I think this was the longest 44km of my life. There was NO logging roads for those "gimme free" miles but the terrain and atmosphere was fantastic. I enjoyed each step until I ran out of H2O 10km's out! Either way, I crossed the finish line in one piece and in 3rd place. Great to instantly learn that my fellow Salomon team mates had cleaned up in their categories as well. In the men's 22km - Ricky took a fast 1st place, Gregory nailed 2nd and Phil pulled off a sweet 4th. My good new friend Anna Frost killed it too and took 1st in the women's short and Chantal from Reunion Island finished 4th. In the long course, Francois D'Haene won for the men and I squeaked in 3rd.
But here was the real kicker for me. French racing is serious stuff, I was immediately greeted by the Doping Patrol crew and whisked off to get tested!!! HA, 1hr30mins later, 3 L of water and 3 attempts, I was FINALLY able to fullfill their requests!!! You try being super de-hydrated from running for 5hrs and have someone stare at you while you pee into a cup and see how far you get!!!! Let me know :)
Well.....that is it from France. Phil and I fly out tomorrow morning. Thank you to everyone for their supportive emails. This has been a great training camp for me and I'm happy to be back at it now in full force. Au revoir from Advanced Week 2010 and I'll see you on the trails.
